Matthew 13:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:3-23

Parable of the sower. The object of this parable is to explain the causes of the failure and success of the gospel. It might have been supposed enough to proclaim the kingdom. Why does this fail? It fails, says our Lord, because of the nature of the soil. This soil is often impervious, often shallow, often dirty. I. " SOME SEEDS FELL BY THE WAYSIDE , AND THE FOWLS CAME AND DEVOURED THEM ." The spiritual analogue is said to be in him "who heareth the Word,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:4

And when (as, Revised Version) he sowed, some seeds ( ἂ μέν ). Here (cf. Matthew 13:5 , Matthew 13:7 , Matthew 13:8 ) the seeds are, so to speak, each singled out. But in the parallel passages they are viewed as one whole ( ὃ μέν ). Fell by the wayside. Along the road ( παρὰ την ), which evidently was at no mere corner of the field, but ran for some distance by or through it. And the fowls ( birds, Revised Version, as in modern English) came and devoured them... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 13:3-9

In parables - The word “parable” is derived from a Greek word signifying “to compare together,” and denotes a similitude taken from a natural object to illustrate a spiritual or moral subject. It is a narrative of some fictitious or real event, in order to illustrate more clearly some truth that the speaker wished to communicate. In early ages it was much used. Pagan writers, as Aesop, often employed it. In the time of Christ it was in common use. The prophets had used it, and Christ employed... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 13:4-9

Matthew 13:4-9. When he sowed, some seeds fell by the way-side By the side of a beaten path which lay through the ground he was sowing. This wayside being neither broken up by the plough nor hedged in, the seed that fell here lay uncovered, and was partly trodden down, and partly devoured by the fowls, Luke 8:5, so that no fruit could be expected. Some fell upon stony places, επι τα πετρωδη , upon rocky places. Luke says, επι την πετραν , upon the rock; where they had not much... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 13:1-23

PARABLES54. The sower (Matthew 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-29; Luke 8:1-18)To visit all the towns of Galilee was a huge task. Jesus and his disciples were helped in this work by a group of women who went with them to look after their daily needs (Luke 8:1-3). Crowds of people came to see Jesus wherever he went, and were often a hindrance to the progress of the gospel. It seems that one reason Jesus began to teach extensively in parables was to separate those who were genuinely interested from those who... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 13:4

when he sowed = in (as in Matthew 13:3 ): in his sowing. some = some indeed. way side. The part of the field beside the way. fowls = birds. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 13:4

Matthew 13:4. And when he sowed, &c. the fowls— And as he sowed, &c. the birds. It is observable, that our Lord points out the great hindrances of our bearing fruit, in the same order as they occur. The first danger is, that the birds will devour the seed; if it escape this, there is yet another danger, namely, lest it be scorched and wither away; it is not long after this that the thorns spring up and choke the good seed. A vast majority of those who hear the word of God receive the... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 13:1-53

C. Adaptations because of Israel’s rejection of Jesus 13:1-53"The die is cast. The religious leaders have openly declared their opposition to their Messiah. The people of Israel are amazed at the power of Jesus and His speech, but they fail to recognize Him as their King. Not seeing the Messiahship of Jesus in His words and works, they have separated the fruit from the tree. Because of this opposition and spiritual apathy, the King adapts His teaching method and the doctrine concerning the... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 13:2-53

IV. THE OPPOSITION TO THE KING 11:2-13:53Chapters 11-13 record Israel’s rejection of her Messiah and its consequences. Opposition continued to build, but Jesus announced new revelation in view of hardened unbelief."The Evangelist has carefully presented the credentials of the king in relationship to His birth, His baptism, His temptation, His righteous doctrine, and His supernatural power. Israel has heard the message of the nearness of the kingdom from John the Baptist, the King Himself, and... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 13:3-7

The focus in the first parable is on the soils rather than on the sower. Some seeds fell beside the path that was hard from traffic (Matthew 13:4). They lay on the surface where birds saw them and devoured them before they could germinate. Other seeds fell where the topsoil was thin (Matthew 13:5-6). Their roots could not penetrate the limestone underneath to obtain necessary moisture from the subsoil. When the hot weather set in, the seeds germinated quickly but did not have the necessary... read more

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